They're doing the "Twilight Zone" marathon? I wasn't able to find it. Maybe my listings are wrong. I'll check again -- I was distraught about having to ring in the new year without that goofy old gremlin on the wing of the plane!

I stopped watching "Bunheads" because it was just too cute imo. But after watching later episodes I skipped earlier I find it a little less cute and more enjoyable. At any rate it is better than a lot of dreck that is out there so I want to see if this series makes it through 2013.

I might be the only person who believes this but I enjoy the BBC's "The Hour" more than I enjoy AMC's "Mad Men." Somehow the BBC's 50's- 60's era show still rings true for today's political climate and as I like political themes on shows I was hooked by "The Hour" from the get-go.

I might be the only person who believes this but I enjoy the BBC's "The Hour" more than I enjoy AMC's "Mad Men." Somehow the BBC's 50's- 60's era show still rings true for today's political climate and as I like political themes on shows I was hooked by "The Hour" from the get-go.

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I liked both, but for different reasons.

I also don't think there's much point in comparing them. They both take place in roughly the same era ... but that's where the similarity ends. Aside from being set on different continents and in very different workplace settings, The Hour was a conceived as 6-part series with a defined beginning, middle, and end, while Mad Men was always intended to be a continuing series with characters coming and going, multiple plot arcs, etc. etc. It was only because of popular demand that The Hour came back for a second season.

It does illustrate the biggest difference between American and British TV though: American series always intend to be multiple seasons long (networks, viewers, and sponsors willing) ... while British series are almost always conceived as single seasons, with additional seasons added only if the produces feel there's something more to say (and if the talent involved is willing).

Last night's episode continued to prove that Monica Potter and Peter Krause are doing Emmy-worthy work on Parenthood this season. Their scenes lately have just been beautifully scripted and acted.

I just worry that this season has tried to tackle too many big "issues". Just off the top of my head, they've done infidelity, adoption, cancer, financial problems, and a biggie's coming according to next week's teaser. The show's wonderful, but I'm afraid too many people may find it a downer, putting it in jeopardy.

Before the season started, I was really hoping one of either Chicago Fire or Nashville would start sucking at some point so my Wednesday night viewing would be a little easier but darn it, they're both really good and getting better every week (CF has really found a great balance between the characters and the firefighting action). One of them has to move time slots if they both come back next season because I can't handle the schedule for another season, LOL

I just worry that this season has tried to tackle too many big "issues". Just off the top of my head, they've done infidelity, adoption, cancer, financial problems, and a biggie's coming according to next week's teaser. The show's wonderful, but I'm afraid too many people may find it a downer, putting it in jeopardy.

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And don't forget suicide, ptsd, substance abuse, and Asperger's (tho these days it's probably harder to find a show that doesn't have someone with Asperger's).

I agree that the show does tend to be somewhat too "issue" oriented ... but I forgive them because each issue is dealt with sincerely and honestly. The writing never feels exploitative, and the acting is universally excellent.

I also don't think there's much point in comparing them. They both take place in roughly the same era ... but that's where the similarity ends. Aside from being set on different continents and in very different workplace settings, The Hour was a conceived as 6-part series with a defined beginning, middle, and end, while Mad Men was always intended to be a continuing series with characters coming and going, multiple plot arcs, etc. etc. It was only because of popular demand that The Hour came back for a second season.

It does illustrate the biggest difference between American and British TV though: American series always intend to be multiple seasons long (networks, viewers, and sponsors willing) ... while British series are almost always conceived as single seasons, with additional seasons added only if the produces feel there's something more to say (and if the talent involved is willing).

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Now I'm almost to the point where I prefer the British way of doing this because you see so many talented actors active in television as well as film. Of course the disadvantage is to us when we fall in love with a show as I have with "Sherlock." Cumberbatch and Freeman are so popular now that I read recently that the new season will not arrive until 2014 due to demands on their time. Argh!

I agree that the show does tend to be somewhat too "issue" oriented ... but I forgive them because each issue is dealt with sincerely and honestly. The writing never feels exploitative, and the acting is universally excellent.

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I started watching at the beginning of the run, for Peter Krause. I enjoyed him on this show, and I enjoyed most of the kids, but so many of the other characters were written in such an unlikeable way and/or acted in such an annoying way that I had to bail. Could not stand Lauren Graham as an actress.